German Restaurant Etiquette: 5 Tips Every Tourist Should Know
German restaurants have their own rhythm and rules. Some are charming, some are confusing, and some will definitely catch you off guard. Here are the simple tips that help you eat out confidently and avoid classic tourist mistakes.
Sparkling Water Culture in Germany
Germans really love sparkling water. For many people, sparkling water tastes like a soft drink without sugar, but for Germans, it’s the “real” water.
They even have different levels of carbonation.
This matters because when you order water, the waiter will ask:
“Stilles oder mit Kohlensäure?”
When I first moved here, I kept saying “normal water” and always got sparkling. In Germany, “normal” means fizzy.
If you want still water, say:
“Stilles Wasser, ohne Kohlensäure, ohne Sprudel.”
Why Tap Water Isn’t Free
If you come from the US, this can be a shock. In America, restaurants bring tap water for free. In Germany, this almost never happens.
Most restaurants only give bottled water. And yes, you must pay for it.
Sometimes you can ask for tap water, but be careful. I once paid 5€ for a glass of tap water.
If you are traveling on a budget, keep this in mind. You can always ask, but don’t be surprised if they charge you.
Cash Is Still King
Another common surprise in Germany is the payment situation. A lot of restaurants still prefer cash.
Even some cafés and small food shops won’t take cards at all.
The payment order usually looks like this:
Cash → EC card (debit) → Credit card (Visa/Mastercard)
AMEX is rarely accepted.
Before you sit down or order, it’s smart to ask:
“Kann ich mit Karte zahlen/bezahlen?"
This saves you stress later.
How Tipping Works
If you come from the US, the German tipping system will feel very different.
Waiters in Germany earn at least minimum wage, so tips are smaller and less intense.
Most people either:
• tip 5–10%, or
• simply round up the amount
If you want to tip by card, ask first. Some places don’t allow tips through card machines, so they might ask for cash.
Eye Contact When Cheering
This rule is important in restaurants, bars, and parks.
When Germans cheer and clink glasses, they always look each other in the eyes.
If you don’t, the famous joke says you’ll get 7 years of bad sex.
Is it true? Probably not. But Germans follow it anyway.
It’s also a fun way to look deeply into your crush’s eyes.
Who knows, maybe the night gets even better after that 🙂
And that’s it—you’re officially prepared for German dining culture. You won’t get surprised by sparkling water, confused by card payments, or cursed with “7 years of bad sex” while cheering. Have fun eating your way through Germany.
